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Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Austin-area home sales rise 14 percent, hit seven-year high for November

AUSTIN, Texas–Dec. 19, 2013 – According to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) report released today by the Austin Board of REALTORS® (ABoR), the volume of home sales continues to rise as November became the 30th straight month of sales volume increases and the most home sales in November since 2006.

According to the report, 1,899 single-family homes were sold in the Austin area, which is 14 percent more than November 2012. The median price for Austin-area homes was $219,530, which is 10 percent more than the same month in 2012.

Cathy Coneway, 2013 President of the Austin Board of REALTORS­®, explained, “With strong activity across all segments of the market, the Austin-area housing market has been full steam ahead through the holidays and the rest of the year, Our city’s population and job growth show no signs of slowing down, so 2014 will likely be another competitive year for Austin real estate.”

In November 2013, inventory remained at a historically low level of 2.3 months, which is more than half of a month less than November 2012. Additionally, homes spent an average of 51 days on the market, which is a decrease of 16 days from one year prior.

The total dollar volume of single-family properties sold was $555,757,542 or 24 percent higher than the same month last year. The market also featured the same amount of new listings, 11 percent fewer active listings and two percent more pending sales in November 2013 compared to the prior year.

November 2013 Statistics

1,899 – Single-family homes sold, 14 percent more than November 2012.

$219,530 – Median price for single-family homes, 10 percent more than November 2012.

51 – Average number of days single-family homes spent on the market, 16 days fewer than November 2012.

1,967 – New single-family home listings on the market, statistically unchanged from November 2012.

5,119 – Active single-family home listings on the market, 11 percent fewer than November 2012.

1,756 – Pending sales for single-family homes, two percent more than November 2012.

2.3 – Months of inventory* of single-family homes, more than half of a month less than November 2012.

$555,757,542 – Total dollar volume of single-family properties sold, 24 percent more than November 2012.

The following sections describe trends in other sectors of the Austin real estate market.

Townhouses & Condominiums

The number of townhouses and condominiums (condos) purchased in the Austin area in November 2013 was 223, which is 35 percent more than November 2012. In the same time period, the median price for condos was $195,200, which is eight percent more than the same month of the prior year. When compared to November 2012, these properties spent an average of 55 days on the market, or 38 percent less time.

Leasing

In November 2013, a total of 1,162 properties were leased in Austin, which is six percent more than November 2012. The median price for Austin-area leases was $1,390, which is seven percent more than the same month of the prior year.

With the big all night party upon us, will you be out around town or hosting your own soiree? If you’re looking for the best parties around town to attend or crash we’ve got a full line up for you. Check out the information here from Austin 360.

Still want to party like the rockstar you once were but have littles in attendance this year? We have that covered too. There’s plenty of family friendly partying to be had here in Austin. Check out Free Fun in Austin for a complete list of things to take the mini me’s to!

Hosting New Years?

We do love being crafty here at Keep Austin Weird Homes and we’ve got plenty of ideas to help make your party not just a success, but the one that your friends talk about for many New Years to come! From cupcakes to fortune cookies to making your own party hats, we’ve got all the last minute DIY ideas and links to tell you how. Make sure you follow us on Pinterest for party ideas year round along with DIY home projects and remodel ideas.

Just remember no matter what your plans are for the New Year holiday celebration, make it a safe one.

Keep Austin Weird Homes

Theresa Bastian and Rodney Campbell run an Austin, TX real estate brokerage established with the intention of doing good business with good people. As Austin real estate specialists, Theresa and Rodney can help you buy, sell, lease or invest in real estate in and around Austin, TX.

Thursday, December 19, 2013

At Keep Austin Weird Homes we value everything that makes Austin unique – and this is true during the holiday season as well. Here are three of our favorite Austin Christmas traditions.

Perhaps the most well known Austin holiday tradition is the Trail of Lights at Zilker Park, a 351 acre public park near downtown. The highlight of the Trail of Lights is the Zilker Holiday Tree, which stands over 150 feet tall, made up of multiple strands of lights, and is topped with a 10 foot tall lighted star. The event includes 2 stages featuring local music and dance performances, food trucks, and a mile-long path of fantastical lighted creations that winds through Zilker Park.

Instead of flocking to the malls, Austinites know the best place to find unique gifts is at the Armadillo Bazaar at the Palmer Events Center. This event is an art fair and music festival (it IS Austin, after all) in one. Where else can you shop for everything from stocking stuffers to collectible pieces, all while enjoying a cup of Christmas cheer from the coffee shop or the bar and some local music? The Armadillo Bazaar runs through Christmas Eve.

But perhaps the weirdest Austin holiday tradition is, naturally, our favorite – the decorated trees along Highway 360. Between Thanksgiving and Christmas small groups of family members, friends or coworkers park their cars on the side of the roadway to transform a tree. Some use traditional Christmas colors, while others display carefully chosen themes ranging from sports teams to pop culture icons. If you’re inspired to decorate a tree along Highway 360 yourself this year, just remember to securely fasten the decorations to the tree, and of course, return the tree to its natural state after Christmas.

The Texas Affordable Housing Specialist Designation equips Campbell with the knowledge to help make the dream of homeownership a reality for more Texans. In order to earn the certification, Campbell completed extensive training on programs and alternatives that help make homeownership more affordable and sustainable for first-time, underserved, and at-risk buyers.

“It’s great to be able to help someone who previously thought they couldn’t afford to buy a home become a homeowner. By earning this designation, I know I will be able to help more people in Austin take advantage of the programs that are available”, stated Campbell.

Campbell is equipped with the information he needs to help his clients with low-cost financing, downpayment assistance programs and a host of other options to make housing more affordable and available to all buyers. He is able to determine whether buyers qualify for programs offered by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs, the Texas Veterans Land Board, and the United States Department of Agriculture.

A key component of this designation is the Certified Military Residential Specialist training. By completing this training, Campbell gained critical knowledge and insights to assist veterans and active duty military in finding affordable, suitable and maintainable housing solutions

To see if you qualify for affordable housing programs for purchasing in the Austin area, contact Rodney Campbell at 512-740-6486 or visit www.KeepAustinWeirdHomes.com

About Rodney Campbell

Rodney Campbell is the owner and founding partner of Keep Austin Weird Homes. He and his partner Theresa Bastian formed Keep Austin Weird Homes to help people buy, sell and invest in real estate skillfully while keeping it local and fun.